Menstrual pain relief is ultimately caused by the existence of menstrual cramps, which can usually play the part of unwanted accompaniment to a woman's menstrual cycle. The areas that feel this pain tend to be the lower abdomen or lower back, though the thighs can also feel the effects. There are also other effects that may accompany the pain, such as headaches, dizziness, constipation, and nausea. While not all women feel pain related to their menstrual cycle, and thus not need menstrual pain relief, it is considered a part of how the body works. Therefore, most women are liable to feel the effects of it at one point or another.
Among the more common ways of achieving menstrual pain relief is the application of heat. Things such as hot compresses and the like have often been applied to the pain-afflicted areas to help reduce the effects. While this does not work at all times, a sufficient amount of heat can often be just as helpful as pain killer medication. Some doctors do not advise using just heat alone to counter the problem, but are not likely to object to using it as some sort of supplemental form of relief. Some women also combine pain with various positions that relieve pressure on the lower back, such as lying on the side or with legs lifted. Other women also use sex to help relieve the pain, though this does not work very often.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also be used for menstrual pain relief in the event that non-pharmaceutical methods fail or prove to be inadequate. Most of these medications are available over-the-counter, so it is usually easy to acquire them. It is recommended that women take the medication on the day the pain begins, though taking them a day before it starts can also be done. If you are unsure of how to go about using these medications, or you are unsure how to use them in relation to your situation, then it is best that you consult a medical professional about the matter.
Hormones can also be used to relieve the pain, particularly those that can be found in birth control medication. These pills release synthetic hormones, such as estrogen and oestrogen, into the body. These have been known to help reduce menstrual cramps and relieve pain. However, it is recommended that any woman who is considering this option should at least try the other methods first. In the event that the others fail, consult your doctor to find out any possible side effects or complications that might arise, as well as how to prevent them.